Night Tube Safety (2)

Unmesh Desai: Please can you disclose how many sex offences have been committed on the night tube each year since it opened on 19th August 2016, including from 19th August 2018 to date.

The Mayor: Please see the below table for the numbers of sexual offences on the Night Tube by calendar year between 19 August 2016 and 10 March 2019.
Calendar year
2016
					*from 19/08/16
2017
2018
2019
					*to 10/03/19
Sexual offences
2
58
58
16
Please see Mayor's Question 2019/6250 for more information on how Transport for London and its policing partners are tackling sexual offences.

Lessons learnt from Nottinghamshire Pilot into Misogyny Based Hate Crime

Unmesh Desai: What lessons have you learnt from the Nottinghamshire Police’s pilot of recording misogyny-based hate crime?

The Mayor: The Mayor’s refreshed Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy, published on 9 March 2018, included a commitment that MOPAC would await and evaluate learning and evidence from the Nottinghamshire pilot on using misogyny as a criterion for recording hate crime.
An evaluation of the pilot was released in July 2018, MOPAC reviewed this evaluation and are in agreement with the NPCC that a further review is required before any lessons learnt can be established and before any further decisions on Misogyny as a Hate Crime can be made.
In October 2018 the Home Office announced a review of hate crime and consideration will be given to include additional protected characteristics.
Findings of both reviews will be considered together to inform MOPACs response on the lessons learnt.

Communication about the Croydon Tram Crash Investigation received from the Safety Sustainability and Human Resources (SSHR) Panel Chair, 9 July - 17 July 2018

Keith Prince: Following up on data provided by you on 27 December 2018 (part 4 of Question 2018/2658, a 17 July 2018 email from TfL’s General Council to Director of Rail, copied to the Managing Director of Surface Transport, HSE Director, and Corporate Secretary mentions emails sent by SSHR Panel Chair received “over the weekend” (i.e., 14-15 July 2018) and also “comments provided last week” from the SSHR Chair (i.e., week of 9-13 July 2018).
a) Why was this communication not included in your response to Question 2018/2658?
b) Please provide me with copies of all communication received from the SSHR Panel Chair from 9 July to 17 July 2018 referred to in this 17 July 2018 email.
c) Please provide me with copies of all communications from the Commissioner of Transport and the Deputy Mayor for Transport concerning this communication from the SSHR Panel Chair.

The Mayor: TfL has received a similarly worded request pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, which they are working to respond to. Given this, TfL will publish the response to the FOI question on TfL’s website and will notify you when that is done.

Preparing for another heatwave

Andrew Dismore: The exceptionally hot weather in summer 2018 led a higher risk of fire and London Fire Brigade asked boroughs to institute a barbecue ban in parks. What preparations is the Brigade making for a repeat of the hot and dry weather?

The Mayor: London Fire Brigade’s borough commanders work with local authority partners to develop effective contingency planning for areas of open grassland and parks, and, where appropriate, engage in local exercises to test those plans. They also ensure that appropriate entry is made on the operational risk database, reflecting those plans so that attending crews have the information required to resolve what can often be large and protracted incidents.
Wildfire firefighting (rural firefighting) has been included as a core competency in the revised Development and Maintenance of Operational Professionalism (DaMOP) framework which is due to the launch on 1st July. Crews attending such fires would also be briefed on simple precautions to ensure their welfare - this includes advice on avoiding heat stress and exhaustion as set out in LFB’s hydration policy. In the event of another hot summer, LFB would again issue public safety messages about the precautions people should take to avoid starting a fire.
Last summer, the GLA established a communication’s protocol to cascade heat risk messaging from the Met Office and Public Health England to keep Londoners informed during extreme temperature.
The same protocol will be triggered from 1st June to 15th September, this summer, for levels 2 (alert and readiness) and 3 (heatwave action).

Steering Group’ referred to in 09 July 2018 Email from TfL’s Head of Commercial Disputes

Keith Prince: Following up on data provided by you on 27 December 2018 (part 4 Question 2018/2658), an email dated 09 July 2018 from TfL’s Head of Commercial Disputes refers to “the discussion at the Steering Group earlier”.
•What is this “Steering Group” for?
•Who serves on this “Steering Group”
•Please provide me with any notes, minutes, emails concerning this “Steering Group”

The Mayor: The reference to the Steering Group in this email is to the Sandilands Review Board/Steering Group. Please refer to the answer to Mayor's Question 2019/6384.

Sandilands Incident Review Board

Keith Prince: Following up on data provided by you on 27 December 2018 (part 4 of Question 2018/2658), an email dated 04 July 2018 from the Secretariat Officer of the Safety, Sustainability and Human Resources (SSHR) Panel to TfL’s Director of Health Safety and Environment and General Council refers to a "Sandilands Incident Review Board”.
•When was the Sandilands Incident Review Board created?
•Who served on the Sandilands Incident Review Board?
•What was the Sandilands Incident Review Board’s Terms of Reference?
•What were the exact meeting dates of the Sandilands Incident Review Board?
•Please provide me with all Notes, Minutes and Action Lists produced by and in relation to decisions made by the Sandilands Incident Review Board

The Mayor: The Sandilands Review Board/Steering Group is an internal working meeting to discuss non-operational issues related to the tragedy at Sandilands, including claims and legal advice. It began meeting shortly after 9 November 2016 and has met regularly since then. The purpose is to enable legal advice to be given and relevant information, including updates on progress with the handling of personal injury claims, to be considered and discussed.
The meeting did not have specific terms of reference. Attendance of staff varied but has generally included representatives from General Counsel, Safety, London Trams, Press Office, Customer Strategy (Sarah Hope Line), Corporate Affairs and Group Insurance.
Transport for London (TfL) has received the same request pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. TfL will respond to that request and publish the response on its website. I have asked that TfL lets you know when it has been published.

Moving the Victoria Coach Station

Tony Devenish: Given the considerable opposition to any plans to move the Victoria Coach Station to Royal Oak, will you take this opportunity to promise Londoners that this will not happen?

The Mayor: Transport for London has recently completed a study of the Royal Oak site and has decided not to bring forward proposals for a coach hub at this location.
On Thursday 14 March I informed Karen Buck MP, who had contacted me about this matter following a campaign by Cllr Maggie Carmen and others, that TfL would not be progressing a coach station at this location and I understand that you should have received a copy of this response.
As leases begin to expire at Victoria Coach Station from 2023 TfL will continue to work with stakeholders to consider other options for coach facilities in London.

Riding on the pavement

Tony Devenish: A constituent of mine, who is deaf, has written to me about the dangers to pedestrians of visitors to London riding Santander bikes on the pavement. He notes that in some countries and jurisdictions this is allowed. To ensure visitors are aware of the law, he suggests that a multi-language notice be posted on the hiring webpage and, if possible on the electronic screens at the point of hire alerting users to this matter. Will you consider his suggestion?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) asks all its Santander Cycles users to follow the Highway Code and cycle responsibly, including not cycling on the pavement. In accepting the terms and conditions, all users are asked to abide by the Highway Code. TfL also encourages users to follow its “Tips for Safer Cycling”, which are printed on the side of every terminal facing the user when they hire. This includes a tip asking users to “not cycle on the pavement or the wrong way up one-way streets”. These Tips are also available on the TfL website at https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/safety/road-safety-advice/driving-and-cycling-safety#on-this-page-4. Users are provided with an option to translate this page into multiple languages. There is no direct link to this page from the Santander Cycles homepage, but TfL will look into this.
TfL also includes selected safety specific messages from the Tips for Safer Cycling on the electronic screens at Santander Cycles docking stations. These electronic screens are offered to users in 18 different language options. TfL is constantly reviewing the screens and safety messages included within these hire pages, and will consider which Tips for Safer Cycling are included on any subsequent updates or improvements.

Transport for London staff (2)

Florence Eshalomi: Please confirm total staff numbers in Transport for London (excluding London Underground), broken down by directorate and by pay band

The Mayor: The total employee numbers by directorate and pay band in March 2019 is provided below. This includes both operational roles and NPL.
Surface
Grade
Total
Director
10
Band 5
25
Band 4
140
Band 3
595
Band 2
971
Band 1
309
Operational
1048
NPL
145
Total
3243
Customer, Communication & Technology
Grade
Total
Director
8
Band 5
37
Band 4
202
Band 3
906
Band 2
613
Band 1
398
Operational
12
NPL
517
Total
2693
Finance
Grade
Total
Director
12
Band 5
42
Band 4
206
Band 3
495
Band 2
258
Band 1
125
Operational
1
NPL
134
Total
1273
Major Projects Directorate
Grade
Total
Director
2
Band 5
12
Band 4
95
Band 3
192
Band 2
126
Band 1
80
NPL
111
Total
618
Human Resources
Grade
Total
Director
4
Band 5
9
Band 4
20
Band 3
98
Band 2
63
Band 1
33
Operational
1
NPL
29
Total
257
General Counsel
Grade
Total
Director
3
Band 5
11
Band 4
58
Band 3
77
Band 2
30
Band 1
10
NPL
3
Total
192
Crossrail 2
Grade
Total
Director
1
Band 5
3
Band 4
5
Band 3
14
Band 2
9
Band 1
5
NPL
3
Total
40

Cut to 25 bus route (2)

Tony Devenish: If TfL failed to carry out a Disability/Equality Impact Assessment on the cut to route 25 between Holborn Circus and Oxford Circus, will you reinstate the full 25 bus route?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2019/6443 about the Equality Impact Assessment for route 25.
Transport for London (TfL) carried out an extensive consultation on the proposed changes to route 25 as part of a wider review of bus services in the area. This consultation ran for 11 weeks from 3 July 2017 until 17 September 2017. TfL consulted with a wide range of stakeholders and widely publicised the proposed changes, with customer information provided on-line, at bus stops and by email to registered customers using the route. TfL received 439 responses to the specific proposals for route 25, and carefully considered these before deciding to go ahead with the changes.
The changes to route 25 were made to improve the reliability of the service for customers and in response to a decline in customer demand. There are therefore no plans to reinstate the previous 25 bus route.
Through my transport strategy, I remain focused on improving reliability, accessibility and safety across all of TfL’s services. This includes changing and developing the bus network when required. The introduction of my Hopper fare means passengers who need to change between bus routes can do so at no additional cost within one hour of the start of their journey.

Silvertown Private Finance

Caroline Russell: In 2018 HM Treasury announced it would no longer use Private Finance 2 (PF2), the current model of the Private Finance Initiative. HM Treasury has now told the Public Accounts Committee that it expects to provide clear data on the standing of Private Finance by Summer 2019. The Silvertown Tunnel is still set to be financed using a PF2-derived mechanism. Does it make sense to continue with this road tunnel even when the funding mechanism isn’t currently supported by HM Treasury?

The Mayor: The Chancellor’s announcement in the autumn budget related to Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) funded by national government. The Silvertown Tunnel is expected to be entirely funded from charges payable by its users, and no support is required from HM Treasury. The Transport for London Board made the decision three years ago that a design, build, finance and maintain contract with a private sector partner would be the best value way of delivering the benefits of the Silvertown Tunnel without impacting the rest of the TfL investment programme, and that remains the view today.

Traffic Congestion (1)

David Kurten: Do you understand that it is not possible to cut congestion, have a population which is increasing by 100,000 per year and to narrow road space for motor vehicles by constructing cycle superhighways all at the same time?

The Mayor: My Transport Strategy sets out how we need to invest in our streets to reduce car use and enable more walking, cycling and public transport because of, not in spite of, London’s growth. Doing nothing means congestion will get worse, not better. The reality is that 75 per cent of congestion is caused by there being too great a demand for limited street space.
To reduce congestion we need to help reduce this demand by encouraging people to switch from car travel to more space efficient ways of getting around such as travelling by foot, bike or public transport. We know that many Londoners are put off cycling because our streets do not feel safe to ride a bike on. Protected cycle lanes are one way that we are fixing this problem and getting more people on bikes. Recent schemes show that building cycle lanes actually increases the efficiency of our streets. For example, following the opening of segregated cycle lanes on Blackfriars Bridge, the total number of people travelling across the bridge at the busiest time increased by 5 per cent.

Transport for London staff (5)

Florence Eshalomi: Can the Mayor confirm whether or not rates of payments to consultants will be included in the calculations of the gender and ethnicity pay gaps at Transport for London going forward?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) follows the ACAS guidance on pay gap methodology and therefore does not include consultants within its gender and ethnicity pay gap calculations. These reports detail the pay gaps for employees directly employed by TfL or one of its subsidiary companies on permanent or fixed term contracts. These calculations also include Board and Committee members who receive an hourly or annual fee for their work at TfL.

Safer Schools Officers (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: Could you clarify whether Safer Schools Officers are dedicated to one school at a time, or whether they cover multiple schools? Please also detail how many are currently assigned to (i) primary schools, (ii) secondary schools (iii) pupil referral units and (iv) further education/sixth form colleges.

The Mayor: Every school and Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) is offered a named designated officer to strengthen the link between schools and the police. As of end of February 2019 there are 382 Schools and Youth Engagement Officers.
Schools and PRUs vary greatly by size and need and therefore an officer may support multiple education establishments. Local commanders are responsible for ensuring schools and youth officers are deployed where and when they are needed most according to risk and potential harm.
HR data systems show there are currently around 90 officers that are dedicated to one school. The rest have responsibility for two or more schools (i.e. the total will be greater than the overall number of officers).
I. 16 officers are assigned to Primary schools;
II. 311 officers are assigned to secondary schools;
III. 47 officers are assigned to PRUs; and
IV. 5 officers are assigned to further education

Abandoned bicycles (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: What steps are TfL taking to ensure there is a consistent approach across London for the public to be able to report abandoned bicycles?

The Mayor: Access to high quality and readily available cycle parking is essential to delivering my ambitious aim for 80 per cent of all trips to be made by walking, cycling or public transport by 2041. As you will see from my response to Mayor's Question 2019/6065, Transport for London has a consistent process in place for reporting and removing abandoned cycles on the Transport for London Road Network. Londoners are encouraged to report any abandoned cycles on Transport for London’s roads to their Customer Contact Centre.
Most London boroughs also allow the reporting of abandoned cycles on their roads through their websites. How these requests are processed is agreed in the contractual agreements between the borough and their highway maintenance contractor.

Abandoned bicycles (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: What actions does TfL take to remove abandoned bicycles or other items locked to street furniture, including Sheffield stands, along the Transport for London road network?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) will attach a notice to any suspected abandoned item notifying of its intention to remove it. If the item remains in place for more than seven days, it will then be removed and stored at TfL’s depots. If it is not claimed within 28 days it will then be disposed of.
TfL is currently prioritising the 10 central London boroughs where abandoned bicycles and other items can be more of a problem. This is part of its overall commitment to improving customer experience on its network by removing clutter from the streets.

CS1 Expansion

Joanne McCartney: Are there any plans to expand Cycle Superhighway 1 north into Enfield?

The Mayor: Yes, I share your aspiration for Cycle Superhighway 1 (CS1) to be extended north to connect with Enfield’s Mini Holland cycle route along the A1010. The first phase of Enfield’s A1010 scheme will be completed this summer, while further proposals from the A1010 towards the border with the London Borough of Haringey and CS1 are being explored.

Freedom Passes (1)

Jennette Arnold: We have recently heard that some young Londoners with SEND struggle to access their Freedom Pass. How do you work with Boroughs and London Councils to ensure everybody who is eligible can receive their Pass?

The Mayor: Applications for Disabled Persons Freedom passes are handled by the Boroughs who own the Freedom Pass scheme. TfL’s involvement is restricted to supplying smartcards for the Boroughs to issue then ensuring they are accepted on their services once issued. TfL promotes available concessions to young and disabled people on its website and through other communications channels, including face to face engagement.

Freedom Passes (4)

Jennette Arnold: How do you support Boroughs and London Councils to provide Freedom Passes for all who need them?

The Mayor: Please see my answer to Mayor's Question 2019/6210.

Old Street

David Kurten: What will be the cost of your planned changes to the street layout at Old Street?

The Mayor: The project to transform Old Street and make walking and cycling safer will remove the roundabout, return motor traffic to two-way operation and install segregated cycle lanes throughout. Two new London Underground station entrances will be built, alongside a significant upgrade to the urban realm in line with my Healthy Streets Approach. The budget of the project is around £45 million, which includes the full cost of design, construction, site supervision, management and risk.

TfL business plan

Caroline Pidgeon: What are the risks to fare income in TfL’s business plan?

The Mayor: The major risks to fare income for Transport for London (TfL) include the effects of a subdued economy on ridership, a disorderly exit from the European Union and the delay to the opening of the Elizabeth line. All these risks are built into TfL’s latest Business Plan which for the first time contains extensive commentary on forecasting. TfL has seen improved ridership in recent months including the busiest week ever on the Tube in December 2018. TfL revises its Business Plan annually to reflect latest trends and the national economic forecast and provides detailed forecasts for the next financial year in its Budget, which is published annually in March.

A23/St Leonard’s junction

Florence Eshalomi: Following my question 2016/1491 to you regarding residents’ safety on the A23 St Leonard’s junction in 2016, can the Mayor update me on what work is being carried out or is upcoming? As you will be aware, the junction is still a huge safety concern in my constituency.

The Mayor: In response to local requests, Transport for London (TfL) installed a pedestrian crossing on the south side of St Leonard’s junction across Streatham High Road in March 2018. TfL also plans to introduce a 20mph speed limit along the A23 - including the junction with St Leonard’s - in line with my Vision Zero Action Plan.

Cycle Superhighways (2)

David Kurten: What will be the cost of constructing CS4?

The Mayor: The estimated final cost of the project is around £50 million, which includes design, construction, site supervision, management and risk.

Cycle Superhighways (1)

David Kurten: What will be the cost of constructing CS9?

The Mayor: The estimated final cost of CS9 from Kensington Olympia to Brentford Town Centre is around £50 million, which includes design, construction, site supervision, management and risk.

Taxi and Private Hire Trade (1)

David Kurten: Do you agree that it is unfair to force taxi drivers to replace their 15-year old taxis with ZEC taxis, when the rapid charging point infrastructure is clearly inadequate, and is unlikely to be fit for purpose for many years to come?

The Mayor: On 15 February 2019, Transport for London (TfL) launched a consultation on taxi age limits including proposals to mandate the maximum taxi operating age, introduce a new age limit over a phased time period and remove taxi age limit exemptions. These proposals are aimed at reducing air quality pollutants from the oldest diesel taxis and do not require drivers to move to a Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) taxi, which will retain the 15 year age limit.
In January 2019, TfL also launched an enhanced taxi delicensing scheme. I allocated additional funding to this scheme and there are now 1,250 top payments of £10,000 for those who choose to delicense their Euro 3, 4 and 5 vehicles early. Taxi owners may choose to put this payment towards the cost of a new ZEC taxi, however there is no requirement for them to do so.
To support the growing number of ZEC taxis in the fleet, London’s rapid charge point network is increasing alongside this expansion. TfL has already delivered more than 170 rapid charge points with 68 dedicated to taxis. TfL plans to deliver 300 by the end of 2020, in addition to many other independently funded rapid chargers.

TfL Cycling Map

Joanne McCartney: Does TfL produce a map of all of the cycle lanes in London, including Cycle Superhighways and Quietways? If not, can TfL produce such a map?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) already produces a map for Cycle Superhighways and these are available to download and print from the TfL website at the following link https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/routes-and-maps
In April this year, TfL will also be releasing new cycle mapping data. This will feature both Cycle Superhighways and Quietways. This data will be available to third parties through open data which will mean that developers can create cycling apps featuring these cycle routes.

Grafton Way

Andrew Dismore: Residents of the 30-40 Grafton Way council block near Warren Street are currently wedged inside a gyratory that serves traffic for Euston Road. This gyratory brings traffic south of the Euston Road — the only part of Camden south of the Euston Road that is excluded from the Congestion Charge. As a result they have high levels of traffic; and recent HS2 monitoring data indicates that air quality is extremely poor. This block also sits in between UCLH and the soon-to-open Proton Beam Therapy Unit. Gyratories are also, in general, road systems which local authorities are now rightly seeking to remove given the high levels of traffic they encourage.
Given the residential nature of Grafton Way, the presence of two major hospital sites, and the canyon-like nature of the road itself:
• can Transport for London please state if it will consider plans to remove this gyratory?
• can TfL set out the process it will follow for doing so?
• which TfL officer would be responsible for commission this project?
• can TfL please state if it is open to fully or part pedestrianising this part of Grafton Way, working with Camden Council to do so? In the meantime , will you extend the ULEZ to include the Gyratory?

The Mayor: As you will be aware, the London Borough (LB) of Camden is delivering an ambitious scheme making extensive changes to Tottenham Court Road and Gower Street, which are intrinsically linked with Grafton Way. All three of these roads are managed by the borough and, while I note the close link to how Euston Road operates, any proposal for significant changes to Grafton Way would need to be initiated by LB Camden. I have asked Transport for London to raise your constituents’ comments with Camden officers working on the Tottenham Court Road scheme. Any changes to Grafton Way would need to address the key issues of emergency access to University College Hospital and vehicular access from the east to Hampstead Road.